New York State ends indoor mask mandate, but not for schools

ALBANY, N.Y. — After nearly two months of being in place, the statewide indoor business mask-or-vaccine requirement will be lifted in New York state starting Thursday, Feb. 10, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday.

The state implemented the mask-or-test mandate on Dec. 10 as statewide cases surged with the Omicron variant. Most organizations (such as gyms, malls, casinos, stores, restaurants, offices) chose the mask-mandate option because it was easier to implement and enforce than checking everyone for vaccination proof. Now that case numbers are decreasing and hospitalizations are sharply declining, Hochul says the mandate is no longer necessary.

Mask requirements remain in place for a number of settings in the state including schools, health facilities, correctional facilities, homeless and domestic violence-shelters, on public transportation, and in transportation hubs.

The governor indicated she will assess the mask requirement for schools in early March, using key metrics such as cases per 100,000 residents, hospital-admission rates, vaccination rates, global trends, and pediatric hospitalizations.

Plans are already underway to send every student home with two COVID tests ahead of midwinter break and continue distributing tests when they return after break.

Hochul released a “Winter Toolkit” that outlines plans to increase access to vaccines, testing, and boosters; empower local leaders; strengthen the health system; and support New Yorkers with long-term COVID effects.

“As we begin a new phase in our response to this pandemic, my top priority is making sure we keep New York safe, open, and moving forward,” she said in an announcement in New York City. “I want to thank the health-care workers, business owners, and everyday New Yorkers who acted responsibly during the Omicron surge by masking up and getting vaccinated. But make no mistake; while we’re moving in the right direction, this pandemic isn’t over and our new Winter Toolkit shows us the path forward.”

Plans include acquiring and distributing masks and tests, keeping mass vaccination and testing sites open, utilizing the National Guard to assist medical facilities, and working to grow the health-care workforce.

Reaction

Various lawmakers responded to Hochul’s announcement Wednesday, including New York Assembly Minority Leader William (Will) A. Barclay.

“Gov. Hochul’s decision to lift the statewide indoor mask mandate is long past due and welcome news. However, dropping it some places but not others makes little sense. While other states have seen fit to lift the mask restrictions for school children, Gov. Hochul insists on keeping it in place here, even as the state Supreme Court ruled the mandate an improper overreach of her power,” said Barclay, a Republican who represents the 120th New York Assembly District, which encompasses most of Oswego County, as well as the town of Lysander in Onondaga County and town of Ellisburg in Jefferson County.

“As COVID-19 rates drop dramatically, and vaccine and booster rates continue to rise, it is time to end the mask mandate altogether and restore some normalcy to New York’s school children. We have not been in a state of emergency for many months, and Gov. Hochul must start acknowledging that in her actions,” Barclay added.